Griselinia littoralis kapuka, New Zealand broadleaf

Waxy, alternate leaves of Griselinia littoralis. Sairus Patel, 3 Feb 2016

This small New Zealand tree, often grown as a hedge, is distinguished by its leathery, broadly oval leaves to 4 inches long and almost as wide, waxy-shiny on top, dull and paler green below. One can see why one of its names is New Zealand privet, though its leaves are arranged alternately, and not oppositely as in Ligustrum. The flowers are inconspicuous.

The only known campus representative is in the Lou Henry Hoover House garden, just north of the house. Note its rough brown bark and the charming way its branchlets droop down, almost vine-like, to display their leaves. The twigginess of its crown is reminiscent of camphor tree. Three Griselinia had been noted in 1960 in front of Encina Hall, towards the right side.